Study Questions

  1. What is the greatest happiness principle? On what does it make the rightness of our actions depend? Do you think it provides a reliable guide to our moral obligations? Why or why not?
  2. Of what kind of proof does Mill think that the greatest happiness principle is susceptible? How does he argue for the principle? Do you think his argument is sound? Defend your answer.
  3. What different things does Mill claim that people mean by the word justice? What role do considerations of justice play in utilitarianism? Does utilitarianism adequately account for the importance of justice?
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